Tube-splicing device



Feb. 3,7192?. A HUETTER. 69 8 TUBE SPLICING DEVICE Filed Feb. 19 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 8, 1927. A HUETTER TUBE SPLICING DEVICE Filed Feb. 19, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb 8 1927' A. HUETTER TUBE SPLICING DEVICE Filed Feb. 19, -1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 8, 19.27. r

ANDREW HUETTEB, F DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF IVORTY-NNE NE-HUNDBEDTHS T0 KURT ROEHLL AND HUETTER, BOTH 0F DAYTON', OHIO.

TWENTY-FIVE ONE-HUNDREDTHS T0 ELFRIEDE BETTY TUBE-SPLICING DEvIcE.

Application led February 19. 1923. Serial No. 619,890.

. My invention relates to a tubular press, applicable in a small size to the splicing of rubber tubes, particularly inner tubes fory usev in automobile tire casings, but also adaptable in an extended form to the manufacture of rubber tubing and more particularly to rubber hose such as garden hose and analogous manufacture.

The invention contemplates an exterior form ormatrix and an expansible mandrel oflexible,.but inextensible material preferably sheet metal expanded by fluid pressure to subject the interposed tubular body to internal pressure. ,This internal pressure l5 may be achieved by the-use of super-heated steam thereby simultaneously affording the necessary vulcanizing heat as Well as the pressure. VFor tube splicing both the matrix and the mandrel are longitudinally slotted, the mandrel being of4 substantially tubular .form with hollow walls relations to afford the access slot through which the endless tube may be removed-'jfafter completion of the splicing or. joining" of the ends.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as vwell as the means and mode of operation of such tube :forming and spli'ing devices whereby they will not .only be cheapened in construction, but will be more 'efficient in use; uniform in operation, easily controlled and unlikelyto get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide for such `tube forming presses or molds, and tube'splicing presses, an expansible mandrel or core, which will readily withstand high degrees of temperature and will be quickly responsive to variations of internal pressure, enabling the pressure to which the product is subjected to be A quite accurately gauged and changed at' the will of the operator within a wide range of variation.

A further objectof the invention is to vide a press or mold for tube splicing and forming operations, wherein the product will be subjected to both internal andexternal heat, therebv enabling the vulcani'zation to 5 progress uniformly terminating in spaced `in section of the the op'en' side or slot of the mandrel. Fig. 7

or hose making throughout the. product1 without subjecting either the interior or exterior surface to excessive temperature.

further object of the invention is to provide an external form or matrix for a tube splicing l therein for removal of the completed tube with an interlockingclosure for such `slot whereby such external form or matrix is enabled to withstand high internal pressure. With the. above primary and otherincidental objects in view as will more fully appear inthe specification, the invention consistsof the features of construction, the arts and combinations thereof and the mo e of o ration or their equivalents as hereina terdescribed and set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional View and Fig. 2 a. longifV sectional view of a tube jolning-the ends of an inner tudinal or axial splicing press for tube kor the like, into an annulus. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the expansible lhollow walled mandrel by which pressure is exerted upon th is an end elevation of the expanding mandrel. Fig. 5' is a transverse sectional view of the mandrel. Fig. 6 is a'plan view partly removable closure bar for e. work. Fig. 4

1s a transverse sectional/ view of this closure bar on vline 7-7 of Fig. 6. Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively a side elevation and sectional view of a modified. form of the press or matrix from which the expanding mandrel is omitted. Fig. 10 is a.detail sectional View of a further modification ofthe slot 'closure means for the external ring or matrix. l Figs.

11 and 12 are respectively a transverse sectional view and a. plan view of a simplified form of matrix or press by which the expanding mandrel in elongated form is applied to the manufacture of tubes or hose.

device, having an access slotl internal expanding.

Fig. 13 isan endelevation of a simplified form ofex'panding mandreh Like partsare indicated by similar characters of views. a o

It is estimated that ninety-five per cent of the inner tire tubes are spliced by the well known cold cure or acid method, which is references throughout the several vloo most generally used at the present time. Thisis due to the fact that the steam cure method or vulcanization processes as heretofore attempted are not economical in labor cost although more reliable is effect and eliminate all of the serious objections incident to the cold cure method.. Not only is the present inv/ention intended to overcome the objections to the cold cure or acid method of tube splicing, but it also enables a material saving in stock by effecting successful and complete splicing with approximately one half to one inch of overla whereasl the cold cure rocess ordinari y necessitates an overlap of the tube ends of several. inches in extent. The press herein described is further designed to increase the speed of o eration over that of the cold process or aci cure, reducing losses due to lack of contact or leaky joints to minimum and by elimination ofacid fumesa safe condition for employees is insured.

1 and 2, 1 is the external press ring or matrix, having hollow walls to afford an interior steam space 2. The press ring or matrix is supported in any suitable manner as by the pedestal 3. The pressring or matrix is longitudinally slotted at either the side or the top as may be most convenient and removal of the tube to be spliced. A closure member 4 is provided for this access slot. which closure member may be engaged with the press ring or matrix in any suitable manner preferably in suoli way as to reinforce the ring against expansion or spreading of the access opening. In the present instance the closure member 4 has been Referring to Figs.

' shown as provided with lugs or ears 5, pivotto the chamber 2,

-aiord an exterior vulcanizin drain cock 10 ed at 6 to the press ring 1 at one side of the access opening, and ly extending lugs or ears carrying latch means, in the present instance, an eccentric head 7, engaging a suitable shaped `lug 8, projecting from the ring or matrix at the opposite side of the ac cess o ening. AThe closure member 4` accurately ts the access slot in the press ring with its inner edge or face coincident with the interior surface of the ring or press. By oscillation of the eccentric head 7 to disengage it from its coacting lue', the closure member 4 may be oscillated about its pivotal connection out of the slot or access opening to permit the insertion or removal of the tube.` An inlet 9 is provided for admission of live steam anda similar connection is providedfor the exhaust 'of said steam so that acirculation of super-heated steam may be maintained through the chamber 2 to heat. A for water of con ensation is provided which communicates with the bote steam chamber' 2.

In lieu of the oscillatory closure 4 for the ya dovetail engagement` to facilitate the insertionv provided with opposite-- may be equally desirable.

4bility ring or matrix, there has been shown 1n Fig. 10 a longitudinally sliding closure bar 11 having interlA king engagement with the adjacent edges of the access slot. To this end as shown in Fig. 10, the margins of the access openin/g are provided with longitudinalv beads or lips engaging in corresponding grooves in the sliding closure bar. This closure bar conforms to the shape of the access opening which in the present instance isfared inward. The bar thus has with the walls of the ress ring or matrix in relation-With which it is longitudinally slidable into and out of operative position.

For use within the ring press or matrix there is provided an independent but co-oppas erating expansible mandrel 12 of4 flexible` but inextensible material. This mandrel 12 is preferablyl though not necessarily constructed from sheet metal, such as sheet the inner wall of the hollow walled mandrel. While in practice sheet copper or copper alloys have been found quite suitable for this purpose, other material having heatA resistant properties and a reasonable degree of elasticity or flexibility. even though non-metallic The. inner and outer walls of the mandrel are united at the Vextremities of the mandrel to form within the mandrel a sustantially crescent shaped steam chamber, the. mandrel is preferably somewhat tapered adjacent to its end, which not only facilitates, the joining of the inner and outer walls, butalso facilitates its introduction into the end` of the tube to be joined, or spliced. To increase the expansive capaof the mandrel the interior Wall is longitudinally corrugated as at 14. Steam inlet and outlet conduits 15 and 16 are provided for circulating live steam within the hollow walls of the mandrel for the double purpose of subjecting the tube being spliced to internal vulcanizing heat and for expanding `the mandrel to Subject the overlapping ends of the tube to internal expanding pressure during the vulcanizing operation. The slot 13 formed bythe separation of the margins of the hollow walls of the mandrel to afford access to the interior thereof for the introduction and removal of the tube is dinal slot 13, while the loop or plait forms .100

. mandrel.

somewhattapered orconverging in a longitudinal direction. A sliding closure bar 18 is provided, the exterior face 19 of which is arcuate and concentric with the exterior ace of the mandrel and the interior of the rin or matrix.. This sliding closure bar 18 1s provided with marginal grooves or recesses 20` withinwhich -project the margins -of the access slot 13, of the double walled These marginal grooves 2O in the sliding closure bar converge in conformity With the taper of the slot 13 and the vbar therefor affords a wedging action as it is advanced into the tapered slot. The. closure bar 18 is provided with a longitudinal/1y disposed passage or bore 21, from which extend vent openings 22 for the discharge of air under pressure to initially strip the tube from the mandrel as will be hereinafter described. The margins of the double walls of the mandrel'it loosely in the marginal grooves orl recesses 20, whereby under the influence of internal pressure the mandrel may expand. k The admissionof steam under pressure to the interior of the hollow walls of such mandrel tends to straighten the arc'- uate walls or distend the mandrel radially by extending or widening the access slot 12 The longitudinal corrugations 14 in the interior wall of the hollow mandrel compensate for such radial deflection of the outer or concentric wall.

,When in use, one end of the tube to be spliced is passed longitudinally through the central opening of the mandrel and the open end of the tube is reversed or turned backward over the exterior ofthe mandrel as shown at 25 in Figure 2. It will be understood that at this time the closure bar 18 is infiel-ted within the slot 13 of the mandrel, so that the mandrel presents a continuous cylindrical surface. The opposite end of the `tube is then drawn over the mandrel and reversed portion ofthe tube as shown at 26. The extremity of this outer tube layer is inturned into overlapping relation with the first end of the tube as shown at 27. These overlapping parts having first been roughened and coated with vulcanizing compound, the assembled tube'and mandrel are placed within the press ring or matrix 1 by passing a. portion of the tube through the access slot and then shifting the tube to bring the mandrel and overlapping portion of the tube within the ring. `'Ihe closure member 4 having been adjusted, the-.bar 18 of the mandrel is adjusted longitudinally to initially expand the mandrel by its wedging action to insure iirm seating or clamping of the overlapping portion of the tube, between the'v exterior of the mandrel and the interior of the press ring or matrix. The adjustment of the parts having been made, steam is admitted to the chamber 2 of the ring or matrix 1.. and also to the interior of vthe hollow walls of the mandrel. within the chamber 2 serves to heat the ring or matrix to subject the enclosed portion of the tube to external vulcanizing heat. The admission of steam to the interior of the flexible expansible hollow walled mandrel not only affords internal vulcanizing heat to the overlapped tube portion, but also serves to expand the mandrel thereby subjecting the overlapped tube ends to internal expanding pressure simultaneously Withthe application'of vulcanizing heat.

In lieu ofthe mode of overlapping the tube ends as shown in Fig. 2 and described above, a preferred method 'would be to reverse the initial tube end upon itself after having been turned backward upon the exterior of the mandrel. That is to say, the initial end of the tube being passed through the mandrel is turned inside out over the end of themandrel and about its exterior and the end of the tube is again reversed upon itself outwardly so that the initial end of the tube will afford a double layer about the exterior o f the mandrel, the opposite end of the tube is then drawn over this reverse initial tube extremity into overlapplng relation with the reverse end, which brings the overlap or joint exteriorly of the assembly whereit may be easily observedl and adjusted. In such operation the overlap or joint will be in contact with the wall of the press ring or matrix' 1, and not in contact with th wall of the mandrel as shown in Fig. 2. However, as the mode of assembling the tube is immaterial and in itself forms no part of the invention either method may be used. The vuleanization of the overlap or joint having been com leted the steam pressure is released from tlie interior4 of the hollow mandrel, which permits the mandrel to contract. The mandrel is then withdrawn from the ring 1, and the .tube extended to remove the infold or plait.

The 'endless tube or annulus will then be found to extend through the hollow mandrel v and also through the ring or matrix 1. By removing the closure slide 18 from the man.

The steam i drel the tube may be disengaged by drawing v it laterally' through the accss slot 13. It is in like manner removed from the ring or matrix l. by disengaging the closure member 4 and removing the tube laterally through the access slot.

In Figs. 8 and 9 there is shown a modification of the outer member or matrix. In this construction the press ring or'matrix is formed in two halves 30 and 31, hinged one to the other at 32 and locked in their closed position by any suitable latching means, as by the lever actuated link 33. In this case the operating lever 34 is pivoted at 35 to the ring members 30 and pivoted at 36 to the link 33. The link 33 engages over a finger or lug 37 upon the second ring member 31.

.there is p rovided a l split ring or steam chamber 38, the walls of By oscillation of the lever the connection 36 is moved past dead center relation with the pivotal point 35 thereby holding the ring members in their closed relation.

In lieu of forming the steam chamber-2 within the main body of the ring or matrix separable hollow walled which may be of sheet metal and hencefcomparatively thin and capable of transmitting a higher degree of heat than the thick wall shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This hollow walled ring or remoyable steam chamber 38 is broken or provided with an access slot 39, through which the tube may be introduced or removed. The inner periphery of the ring members 30 and 31 is concaved or recessed to receive the hollow ring or steam chamber 38, the member 30 being provided with a longitudinally disposed inwardly eX- tending tongue or bead 40, which extends' within the access slot 39 of the ring38. The inner face of this tongue or bead 40 agrees with the inner circumference of the steam chamber 38. This hollow walled ring ory steam chamber 38 is provided with steam inlet and outlet conduits 41 and 42, by which live steam is circulated therethrough. to afford exterior vulcanizing` heat. 4The' hollow mandrel illustrated in igs. 3, 4 and with its sliding closure bar shown in Fig. 6 is employed in conj unctiolr with the structure shown .in Figs. 8 and 9 in the same manner heretofore described.

In the manufacture of rubber tubing, rubber hose and the like, it is the. practice to form such tubing in lengths of considerable extent by constructing the tube or hose about a pole which in most instances is merely a length of metallic tubing or pipe which forms a core or mandrel. Nllile the expansible mandrel shown in Fig. 3 is illustrated as of comparatively short length to adapt it' to the splicing matrix shown in Figs. 1, 2, 8 and 9, itis to beunderstood that the expanding mandrel may be made in units of great length to be employed as a core or mandrel for themanufacture of rubber tubing or rubber hose. In such use of this hollow expansible mandrel a matrix may be employed formed in two halves, each half having therein one or more straight semi-circular grooves or depres- 'sons as shown at 43, Figs. 11 and 12.

These molds containing the groove 43 may be formed hollow or provided with steam chambers 44 for the circulation of live steam to 'afford external vulcanizing heat. The tubes or hose built about hollow expansible mandrels such as shown in Fig. 3 and heretofore described, but of considerable length as indicated in Fig. v12 are en-` closed within the registering .grooved recesses 43 ofv the respective mold member, and by the admission of live steam lto the the mandrel.

interior ,of the hollow walls of such extend-` l ed hollow mandrel, the mandrels are ex panded to subject the tubes or hosei'section to internal expanding pressure as well as internal vulcanizing heat. Since such tubes or hose would be formed inv continuous lengths open at their e'nd, and not an annulus as is the case with the joined tube before referred to, such tube or hose can be withdrawn longitudinally from the expansible mandrel or core upon the `release ofthe steam pressure. Not being necessary` to remove the tube through the slot and the rslot functioning only to permit the expan-f sive adjustment of the mandrel under iniuence of internal steam pressure, the ad-` justable closure bar 18 may if desired be entirely omitted, and the slot closed by a closure plate or fin 45 secured to one of the marginal edges of the mandrel and -overlapping the oppositey end loosely, while, the slot will be closed and the tin will so that present acontinuous surface, the margins of such slot will be capable of relative adjustment to and from each 'otherbeneath the overlapping lin.' ,f y j When the longitudinally adjustablel closure bar 18 is employed in the expanding mandrel, air under pressure may be admitted through the conduitl and discharged through` the vent opening 22 beneath the overlapping or enclosing portion of the tube to facilitate its separation from vided in the ring' 1, an auxiliary air supply Likewise there may bepro? chamber 46, having therein a nozzle member 47, projected inwardly against the vspring 48 byair pressure admitted to such auxiliary chamber and servingto discharge air intermediate the enclosed tube andthe ring to initially separate the ring and tube. -to perlnit the ready removaLof the latter` atv the completion of the vulcanizing operation. `While this auxiliary air supplyl means for delivering air under pressure intermediate the tube and the ring and also intermediate the tube and the mandrel v1s desirable and facilitatest'hel removal ofthe tube, tures are non-essential .andl-fmay be vwholly omitted .without interfering with thesoperation or function of the apparatus.

it -is to be understoodthat these-feay i.

` While the apparatus hereinbeforel de'- scribed is primarilyv intended for joining or Y splicing tubes by Iheat or vulcanization it is to be understood that v`the same apparatus will prove ver carrying out tA eration by subjecting the'splicefor overlap to internal expanding pressure, whiclfrinV such insta-nce may mission vof air under` pressure-to the-'hollow wallsofthe expansiblejmandrel.. Inflieu ofl steam?. heat, the -infandrelv ,and press may be .electrically heated; The contraction v013 the desirable and successful inl e cold or acidggsplicing Jo1:`, `y

be supplied by --theNad-i y sai mandrel upon the release of the internal pressure facilitates its removal from the' tube whether employed for splicing purposes or in the manufacture of long lengths of tubing or hose.

` Cross reference is made to my Patent No.v 1,581,448

f nted April 20, 1926. From tlf: apparent that there is thus rovided a dev1ce of the character deserl d possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable butwhich obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without de partlng from the principle mvolved or sacrifielng any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention 1s not limited to the specific details shown, but that the meansand construction herein disclosed comprises the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention 1nto efi'ect and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications w1th1n the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims. I

Having thus described my invent1on I claim:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a mandrel, and an exterior form sleeve surrounding 'the mandrel and enclosing a body of material surroundino' the mandrel, said exterior form sleeve being lon itudinall slotted, a sliding closure for slot andI interlocking beads upon the closure slot and form sleeve whereby the opposite edges of the slot are interconnected, `and means or relatively adjusting the mandrel and form sleeve to compress the interposed body of material. 2. In an apparatus of the character described, an exterior form member and a tubular mandrel therein having hollow mei tallic fiexible walls, said mandrel having therein av longitudinally disposed slot, a removablewclosure for said mandrel slotv and means for admitting heating medium vunder pressure to the interior ofthe hollow wall of the mandrel for relatively expanding the mandrel in relation with the exterior form member independent of said closure to compress an interposed body of material surrounding the mandrel `within the form sleeve.

3.In an apparatus of the character described, an exterior form, and an expansible mandrel co-acting therewith to compress a body of material surrounding the mandrel within the exterior form, said mandrel comrising a tubularbody of sheet metal having ollowwalls, said hollow 'walled body being longitudlnally split whereby the respective above description it will be' scribed, an exterior form,

sides of the memberare separable under the infiuence of internal pressure, removable closure for the longitudinal split affording a continuous surface forengagement of the body of material and means for appl ing internal pressure to expand the mandre 4. In an apparatus of the-character described, an exterior form, and an expansible mandrel co-acting therewith to compress a body of mater.' al surrounding the mandrel within the exterior form, said mandrel comprising a shell of flexible but inextensible material and a longitudinally disposed reentrant loop of comparatively large size permitting deflection of the sde walls of the shell under influence of internal pressure, a removable closure for the reentrant loop and means for applying internal pressure to effect expansion of the shell.

5. In an apparatus of the character deand an expansible' mandrel coacting therewith to compress a. body of material surrounding the mandrel Within the exterior form, Sad expansible mandrel being of tubular form and provided with a longitudinally disposed slot, a removable closure for said slot and fluid prespressure means for expanding said mandrel.

7. In an apparatus of the character de-v scribed, an unyielding exterior form, and an expansible mandrel comprising a sheet metal structure having a hollow curved wall formingla fluid tight chamber, the edges of the ho ow curved walls being free to move relative to eachother, a removable closure bridging the space between such relatively movable edges and means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said chamber. y

8. In an apparatus of the character described, an unyielding exterior form, and an expansible mandrel of tubular form open at its ends and having hollow walls, the longitudinal closed edges of which are ar-v ranged adjacent ene to the other but capable of relative movement andl a movable` closure vbridging the spacel between the adjacent Vcompress a body of material Ysurrounding l5 edges o 'the mandrel wijshin 'the erteror formfsaid mandrel comprsng'a tubular structure open at its ends and having curved hollow walls formin vHuid tight chambers, the adjacent said walls being separated one from the other and relatively movable, and a.

, guard strip overlapping the adjacent edges I of thev walls and forming a closurev for the intervening ace, and means for introducing uid un er pressure within said walls. 16

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set Y llrshand this 9th day of February, A. D.

- ANDREW HUETTER. 

